Casablanca

Majestic Morocco: Desert & Ancient Cities


Overview

This meticulously crafted 14-day itinerary offers an in-depth exploration of Morocco's vibrant cities, majestic mountains, and mesmerizing deserts. Perfect for adventurers and culture lovers, this journey showcases the country's rich heritage and diverse landscapes. Experience authentic local traditions, marvel at architectural wonders, and savor exquisite Moroccan cuisine while staying in charming riads, luxury desert camps, and boutique hotels.

Tour Information
Casablanca
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Price
€ 4'620
Hotel/riad, camp
Full board
City tour, kasbah, camel tour

Included

  • Transportation (Van/SUV), incl. driver; transfer from/to airport
  • Accommodation
  • Meals/water
  • Guided Tours

Excluded

  • International and domestic flights
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Soft drinks/beverages

Highlights

  • Desert Adventure at Chegaga: Experience the vast Erg Chegaga dunes, enjoy camel treks, and stay in a luxurious desert camp with a magical starlit sky
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Explore the ancient Ait Benhaddou kasbah, visit Fes with its historic medina, and discover the beauty of Chefchaouen, the Blue City
  • Imperial Cities: Visit Casablanca’s Architectural Marvels, Marrakech’s Historic Medina, Rabats's royal Mausoleum and the historical wonders of Meknes
  • Scenic Landscapes: Traverse the majestic High Atlas Mountains, visit the lush Ziz Valley, and explore the Cedar Forest near Azrou
  • Cultural Immersion: Enjoy a traditional Gnawa music performance in Khamlia, savor local specialties
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Itinerary


Arrival in Casablanca and City Exploration Upon arrival in Casablanca, a professional guide will greet you and assist with your transfer to your accommodation. After check-in, you’ll have time to relax before beginning your exploration of this dynamic city.

Your tour begins with a visit to the famous Hassan II Mosque, located on the Atlantic Ocean. Admire its majestic architecture and its minaret—the tallest in the world—as well as its marble, carved wood, and brass chandeliers. A guided tour will allow you to learn about the mosque’s history and cultural significance.

Next, enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch at a local restaurant, sampling dishes such as tagine, couscous, or harira soup, accompanied by Moroccan mint tea.

In the afternoon, dive into the heart of Casablanca. Explore the United Nations Square, then visit the traditional Habous Quarter, known for its markets and artisanal shops. End your city tour with a stop at the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral, an impressive Art Deco building.

Take a relaxing break in a local café, such as Café de Paris or Café Maure, to enjoy mint tea and pastries. Conclude your day with a walk along the Corniche, a seaside promenade offering beautiful ocean views.

  • Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Casablanca.
  • Meals: lunch or dinner (depending on arrival time).
  • Guided City Tour: Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca city center.

Casablanca to Marrakech – Guided City Exploration Depart for a smooth journey from Casablanca to Marrakech, blending comfort, culture, and discovery.

As you leave Casablanca, relax during a private transfer through Morocco’s picturesque landscapes. Upon arrival in Marrakech, settle into your carefully selected hotel or riad, where you can unwind and prepare for the enriching experiences ahead.

Your exploration of Marrakech begins with a guided tour of the city's most famous monuments. Discover the Koutoubia Mosque, an emblem of Marrakech, known for its towering minaret and intricate architecture. Continue to the Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan artistry, where you'll admire its ornate courtyards and lush gardens.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, teeming with narrow alleys, bustling souks, and a myriad of colors and sounds. Discover traditional crafts, fragrant spices, and local treasures. Pause for an authentic Moroccan lunch at a charming local restaurant.

In the evening, soak in the lively atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna square. The square comes alive with street performers, storytellers, and food stalls offering delicious local dishes. After dinner at a traditional restaurant near the square, return to your riad for a peaceful night.

  • Accommodation: Hotel or riad in Marrakech.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tour: Exploration of Marrakech monuments and the medina

Start your adventure with an early departure from Marrakech, crossing the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains. Admire the breathtaking views of rugged peaks, terraced fields, and Berber villages.

On the way to Zagora, stop at Ait Benhaddou, a historic fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient ksar, with its impressive earthen architecture, has served as a backdrop for many famous films. After exploring Ait Benhaddou, enjoy lunch nearby before continuing your journey through the lush Draa Valley, known for its vast palm groves and traditional Berber villages.

In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Zagora, a charming oasis town. After settling into your hotel, relax by the pool or take a walk through the old town center to explore its many traditional kasbahs and experience the local culture.

  • Accommodation: Guesthouse.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Guided Tours: Visits to several kasbahs

After breakfast, explore Zagora with a local guide, visiting the Jewish Quarter of Amzerou and the picturesque palm groves. Continue on to Mhamid, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. En route, stop in Tamgroute to discover a historic Quranic library and an ancient subterranean kasbah.

Upon arriving in Mhamid, enjoy a picnic lunch before heading off-road into the fascinating Erg Chegaga Desert, home to some of Morocco’s largest sand dunes. Admire the spectacular sunset over the dunes.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner at a comfortable desert camp. The night promises spectacular stargazing, thanks to the desert's clear skies—offering a perfect end to a day of adventure and exploration.

  • Accommodation: Standard Berber camp.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Guided Tours: Visits to Amzerou kasbahs and Tamgroute library.

Start your day in the enchanting landscape of the Chegaga Desert. Depart from the vast dunes and travel toward Foum Zguid, a small village on the edge of the Sahara. Along the way, enjoy the dramatic desert beauty, with golden dunes and rugged rocky terrain.

From there, head toward the lively city of Ouarzazate, often called the "Gateway to the Sahara." Known for its historic kasbahs and film studios, Ouarzazate is a must-see for many visitors. Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, time permitting, stop by the Atlas Studios, where famous films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed.

After exploring Ouarzazate, continue on to Skoura, surrounded by lush palm groves and offering spectacular views of the mountains. Discover the Kasbah Amridil, a symbol of local architecture, and relax in the peacefulness of this oasis.

  • Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse or riad in Skoura.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tour: Guided visit to Kasbah Amridil in Skoura

After breakfast, depart Skoura and travel through the Dades Valley, stopping to explore lively Berber villages along the way. Visit the Dades Gorges before continuing to Tineghir, where you’ll admire the lush palm groves.

Next, head to the Todra Gorges and take a walk along the impressive 300-meter-high cliffs, a favorite spot for climbers and nature lovers.

Continue eastward toward the Sahara Desert, with a lunch stop en route. Along the road to Erfoud, discover ancient khettarat—ingenious underground water channels that help prevent evaporation in the desert climate. You’ll have the chance to descend into these channels to feel their coolness and admire this historic engineering.

In Erfoud, known for its fossils and figs, visit a workshop where fossil-rich stones are transformed into unique objects. Continue to the Erg Chebbi dunes and arrive in the late afternoon. Enjoy the desert scenery before settling into a riad near the dunes of Merzouga for the evening.

  • Accommodation: Riad.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tours: Visit to khettarat and fossil workshop in Erfoud.

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes—an unforgettable experience. After breakfast at the camp, enjoy a full day of desert exploration.

  • Visit the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa community, and enjoy a traditional music performance.
  • Discover the M'fis mines and learn more about the local history.
  • Explore surrounding oases and meet nomadic families to better understand their way of life.

Return to the camp in the late afternoon to relax. Enjoy dinner under the stars and an evening of live local music.

  • Accommodation: Luxury desert camp.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Activities: Cultural visits, local experiences

After breakfast, leave the desert and begin your journey to Fes. Along the way, pass through Morocco’s varied landscapes:

  • Stop in Rissani, known for its traditional market.
  • Pass through Erfoud and admire the spectacular views of the Ziz Valley.
  • Stop for lunch in Midelt at a local restaurant.
  • Continue through the Cedar Forest near Azrou and possibly see Barbary macaques.
  • Brief stop in Ifrane, often called the "Switzerland of Morocco."

Arrive in Fes in the evening and check into your riad.

  • Accommodation: Riad or hotel in Fes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Start your day with breakfast in your riad, followed by a full-day guided tour of Fes, considered Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital.

Explore the medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander its labyrinthine alleys and discover iconic monuments such as Al Quaraouiyine University—one of the world’s oldest universities—and the Bou Inania Madrasa, a masterpiece of Marinid architecture.

Visit Fes’s famous tanneries to observe the centuries-old leather dyeing process. Continue to the lively souks to shop for crafts, spices, and textiles.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant in the heart of the medina. In the afternoon, explore the Andalusian Quarter, visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue, and discover the city’s ancient walls.

End your day with a panoramic view of the city from Borj Sud or Borj Nord.

  • Accommodation: Riad or hotel in Fes.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tour: Fes medina, tanneries, historic monuments

After breakfast, drive toward Chefchaouen, nicknamed the "Blue Pearl" of Morocco. Located in the Rif Mountains, the town is famous for its blue-painted houses and peaceful atmosphere.

Along the way, stop at Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ruins, including mosaics, triumphal arches, and columns.

Continue to Meknes, another imperial city, for a short visit. Discover the famous Bab Mansour gate, El-Hedim Square, and the royal granaries.

Arrive in Chefchaouen in the late afternoon. Wander its picturesque streets and enjoy the varying shades of blue that color the town. Take time to relax in a local café or dine at a restaurant with mountain views.

  • Accommodation: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tours: Volubilis, Meknes, Chefchaouen

Dedicate the day to exploring Chefchaouen at your own pace. Start with a walk through the narrow alleys, admiring the blue-painted doors, stairs, and walls.

Visit the Kasbah, an old fortress in the heart of the medina, which houses an ethnographic museum and offers a panoramic view of the town. Discover the main square, Place Outa el-Hammam, where you can relax in an open-air café.

For nature lovers, hike to the Ras El Maa spring, a peaceful spot where locals come to refresh. If you're up for it, continue to the Spanish Mosque for a stunning view over Chefchaouen and the surrounding mountains.

The rest of the day is free for strolling, shopping for local crafts, or simply soaking up the city’s serene atmosphere.

  • Accommodation: Riad or hotel in Chefchaouen.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Activities: Hiking, free exploration

After breakfast, leave Chefchaouen and head to Tangier, a vibrant port city at the crossroads of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

In Tangier, visit iconic sites such as Cape Spartel, where the two seas meet, and the Caves of Hercules, a place filled with myth and legend. Take a short walk in Tangier’s medina and discover the lively Grand Socco square.

After lunch in Tangier, continue to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and enjoy some free time to rest or explore the surroundings.

  • Accommodation: Hotel or riad in Rabat.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guided Tours: Tangier (Cape Spartel, Hercules Caves), Rabat (free exploration)

In the morning, explore Rabat with a guided tour of its main sights:

  • Hassan Tower, an unfinished minaret dating back to the 12th century.
  • The Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of Moroccan contemporary architecture.
  • The Kasbah of the Udayas, a picturesque district with white-and-blue alleys overlooking the Bouregreg River mouth.

After lunch, drive back to Casablanca. Upon arrival, enjoy a final free evening to further explore the city or shop for souvenirs before your departure.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Casablanca.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Guided Tours: Rabat (Hassan Tower, Mausoleum, Kasbah of the Udayas).

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, a driver will escort you to Mohammed V International Airport for your departure.

  • Meals: Breakfast.
  • Transfer: Private transfer to the airport.

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